Hi! Studied a lot from these subreddits, would love to see ways this can be improved.

Context: Two college-aged students (AFAB) on a reasonable budget. My partner is coming from Canada. I (22F) am coming from the United States. I have travelled to Japan before (Golden Route), and I speak Japanese (~N3 level, nearly N2 / studied multiple years).

Disclaimer: We met and bonded over our shared interest in Japanese pop culture, so there may be more of that in this itinerary (particularly in Tokyo). We're also more on the artsy side.

I tried to build in free days in consideration of the August heat and flexibility. Tried not to load up each day with too much – have things bookmarked in the areas we're going to if we want to hit up more things.

Tokyo (Aug 3-Aug6)

Hotel based near Kanda station.

Aug 3

• Will land in early afternoon. Easy day. Explore area around hotel. Walks. There's a remotely-operated robot cafe near our hotel that might be fun.
• Most likely hit up Akihabara arcades, try the foods. Might check out Eorzea Cafe or save for another day.

Aug 4

• Tsukiji Market (early morning)
• TeamLab Planets + DiverCity Tokyo
• Might pop into the Unko Museum
• Waterbus (if scenic) to Asakusa
• Walk around Sensouji, probably eat around one of the shotengai there
• Hit up SkyTree – check if any collab cafes

Aug 5

• Harajuku Snoopy Cafe (early morning) – pair with Meiji Shrine
• Takeshita St
• Shibuya lunch + shopping
• Shinjuku – Omoide Yokocho (dinnertime)

Aug 6

• Free day

Possible Tokyo free day plans:

– Ikebukuro Day = book fake food making class, explore Sunshine City (\might have collaboration event), check if nui clothes shop open*

– Hakone daytrip = Hakone loop (all day)

– Korakuen / Tokyo Dome showing

Matsumoto (Aug7-Aug8)

Hotel based near Matsumoto Station for convenience.

Aug 7

• Arrive in Matsumoto
• Miso Brewery Tour?
• Matsumoto Castle
• Nakamachi St

Aug 8

• Kamikochi 🙂 hiking?

Kanazawa (Aug9-10)

Hotel based near Kanazawa Station.

Aug 9

• Arrive in Kanazawa
• Higashi Chaya + gold leaf workshop
• Kazuemachi Chaya (*check if geisha performances at nighttime, if not OK)

Aug 10

• Nagamachi District
• Ishiura Shrine
• Kenrokuen (*teahouse here?)
• Kanazawa Castle
• Associated Crafts

Kyoto (Aug11-Aug14)

Hotel based near Kyoto Station.

Aug 11

• Arrive in Kyoto. Free day
• To consider: nearby shopping, Nishiki Market area, OR fushimi inari
• Karaoke is really nice in Kyoto, for the record.
• Kameoka Hozugawa River Fireworks at night (*factor in travel time)

Aug 12

• Bike day – will rent bikes and follow self-guided bike tour 🙂
• either in Arashiyama (past Togetsukyo Bridge/Tenryuji/Nonomiya Shrine/Bamboo Forest/Nisoin/Daikakuji)
• OR down towards Uji depending on heat

Aug 13

• Kiyomizudera / associated Higashiyama areas
• Kodaiji or Manga museum?

Aug 14

• Free day 🙂 Consider Northern Kyoto?

Hiroshima (Aug15-16)

Aug 15

• Arrive in Hiroshima
• Peace Park & Museum
• Food 🙂

Aug 16

• Miyajima Day! All day.
• (Omotesando/Itsukushima/Daishoin/Ropeway/Etc)

Osaka (Aug17-Aug19)

Hotel based near Kintetsu Nipponbashi.

Aug 17

• Arrive in Osaka.
• Kuromon market near hotel 🙂
• likely down to Dendenmachi + Shinsekai
• Shinsaibashi shopping 🙂
• hit up the areas near and around Dotonbori for food

Aug 18

• Concert in Himeji at nighttime (6:30pm) – either daytrip to Himeji only, or might look at Kurashiki daytime exploration / Himeji at night

Aug 19

• Free day 🙂 Enjoy Osaka food.

Tokyo (Aug20-Aug22)

Hotel situated near Kojimachi & Nagatacho.

Aug 20

• Free day – Western Tokyo again?
• Aladdin Performance nighttime (Ginza area)

Aug 21

• Tokyo DisneySea (*check out the new region they're opening up)

Aug 22

• Zojoji
• High Tea in Ginza
• Teamlab Borderless?
• Clamp Exhibit

Leaving Japan Aug 23.

Thank you in advanced for any and all feedback 🙂